Category Archives: how to

In April, Orchid will be leading a workshop for the Marion County Gourd Artists on making beautiful gourd necklaces.

Orchid has a talent for making stunning gourd necklaces. I have looked closely at her tiger gourd necklace and it is beautiful right down to the beads and leather. (As a fan and guest blogger I can write this!)

I must admit I haven’t seen anything like the necklaces that are going to be made in this workshop. When I asked if there were turquoise stones in the turtle necklace on the left (pictured above) Orchid said the real technique she’ll be teaching is how to burn and paint the gourds to look like they have gemstones. This seems like a kind of Orchid-alchemy.

The class is on April 19 , 2014. The class fee is $10 and you need to bring your burners and graphite. Orchid will provide 2 patterns, a gourd cutout ready to burn and leather cord. If you decide you don’t want to make a necklace, then bring a pin back or magnet for your refrigerator. More information can be found on the Marion County gourd artists website. Be sure to register here.